Valley vocational college gets new name

FRENSO, Calif. (KFSN) -- A vocational college here in the Central Valley has a new name and with it new tools for students

Most people know Brightwood College by its former name Kaplan College but officials here are hoping their new name means a bright future, all while some of their competitors have closed their doors.

College administrators ensure students their programs and course offerings are still the same, it's just the name that's different. The former Kaplan College now called Brightwood College was purchased by the Education Corporation of America back in September. The school offers medical and dental assistant programs as well as criminal justice.

Now officials are ready to announce the change and encourage more students to enroll. "So, now is our opportunity to officially become Brightwood change over the name and start something new, a bright new future for our students our staff our faculty," college president Noha Elbaz said,

Students say they've noticed positive changes since becoming Brightwood, including a new online portal used every day by students and staff. "Access homework, access your grades and stuff like that," student Daisy Martinez said.

Brightwood's changes come amid a string of vocational school closures including Marinello Beauty School's shut down earlier this month and Heald College last year. Elbaz says the closures haven't greatly affected their campus. "What we say if students come to us and they're concerned is we talk to them about our accreditation you know we are accredited by ACICS," Elbaz said. "Our goal is to make sure we do everything by the letter of the law."

Students hope the closures influence more people to head to the college even though not as many are familiar with the name. "I know a lot of people that have gone to Heald and didn't finish their program and have started up again here," student Heather Hutchinson said.